NSW pubs prepare for boom times as COVID-19 restrictions ease

COVID-19 related venue restrictions in NSW have been eased.

The good news for the state’s hospitality industry came just as entrepreneur and hotel billionaire Justin Hemmes, sealed the deal on a new hotel purchase in Narooma on the South Coast waterfront NSW.

“We are so excited that standing in venues is allowed, this has shifted the goal posts,” says Hemmes.

“The city is feeling busier, things are certainly looking up,” Hemmes told The Weekend Australian.

He added that he and his staff were optimistic about the rest of this year now that dancing will be permitted in NSW after Monday.

The purchase of the Quarterdeck pub in Narooma is Hemmes first regional acquisition outside of Sydney.

Hemmes who owns 80 hotels and brands and was recently valued by The List at $1.24BN didn’t want to say much about how he managed to get through the Covid situation.

“I won’t discuss it, but everyone has been affected differently by COVID,” he said. “It depends on your mix of hotels to night clubs to restaurants to gaming and to accommodation. Hotels are a varying mix of offerings, it just depends what the mix of your offerings is. But some regional hotels are doing well.”

According to sources, The Quarterdeck purchase is reported to have cost around $1 million.

As regional tourism picks up throughout the year, Hemmes will seek to capitalise on the resurgence, whilst demonstrating his ‘love’ for the tiny township of Narooma.

“Regional pubs have been trading extremely well because people are exploring their own backyards and not going overseas.

“One of the few benefits out of COVID is Australians have explored their own backyards and I feel we have been too quick to jump on a plane and go overseas given the diversity of offerings within Australia.

“It’s great to support regional areas with hospitality, accommodation, arts and culture and to see people travelling with their caravans,” Hemmes said.

Irit Jackson, 29th March 2021